Charleston Development Academy Charter School (CDA) is helping all students develop the world class skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate through an educational approach that encourages students to think, to excel, and to problem solve. Students needing interventions or specific programs are gently guided by CDA educators. In guiding the student, the educator presents the curriculum in a way that best responds to the student’s individual and diverse learning style. Rigorous curricular and co-curricular initiatives such as arts integration strengthen overall student literacy competencies and learning outcomes. Therefore, the CDA learning community challenges and supports the child to attain achievement and success in all academic and personal areas of development. In our mission to educate the whole child, a strong presence of fine art experiences rounds out our educational offerings during the school day and in an afterschool format. Through collaborations with community art agencies, museums, and a variety of service organizations, we are able to extend learning opportunities that strengthen our connections with the school culture and the Greater Charleston area. We remain “An Intellect Construction Enterprise; Developing Minds, Building Character, Engineering Futures” where excellence is a standard expectation and where standards are expected to be excellent.

Shawn Johnson, School Director